“It’s all because of a small hole. I’ve been told it (project) started on Saturday but there’s nobody there now.

“The traffic was going back miles, at an absolute standstill – it’ll probably be all the way to Chislehurst by lunch time.

“What if a bomb went off? The emergency services wouldn’t be able to get anywhere near Petts Wood.”

Dr Knight added the heat made sitting in his car, going nowhere, added to the stress of it all.

Today the Petts Wood Business Association (PWBA) received information from Bromley Council.

The organisation said after talking to the council it can confirm the traffic problems are due to a burst water main.

Thames Water has apparently reported the emergency works will be finished tomorrow (May 20) and temporary traffic lights will be removed then.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "We’re sorry for the disruption caused by our work to repair a valve which began on Saturday.

"The hole is being filled in today (Monday) and we expect the road to be back to normal tomorrow.

"We appreciate it is frustrating for drivers who come across work areas where there is no activity taking place but, in many cases, we wait until after morning rush hour to begin work to avoid causing even more traffic problems."

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here